The ionic compound, mercury(I) bromide, is composed of which of the following pairs of ions?

Question

? 1 Hg2+ ion and 2 Br- ions
? 1 Hg22+ ion and 2 Br- ions
? 1 Hg2+ ion and 1 Br- ion
? 1 Hg+ ion and 1 Br- ion
? 2 Hg+ ions and 1 Br2- ion

Answer 1

Mercury(I) bromide is represented as \( \text{Hg}_2\text{Br}_2 \). In this compound, the mercury exists as a dimer, which means it is composed of \( \text{Hg}_2^{2+} \) ions. Therefore, mercury(I) bromide is assembled from:

• 1 \( \text{Hg}_2^{2+} \) ion and 2 \( \text{Br}^- \) ions.

Thus, the correct pair of ions in mercury(I) bromide is:

• 1 Hg2²⁺ ion and 2 Br⁻ ions.